RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS

European sympathy for Russian Jehovah's
Witnesses

Brussels came out in support of the religious
movement of Jehovah's Witnesses, whose activity was banned on the
territory of Russia by decision of the Supreme Court. This is said
in a statement published on the website of the European Service of
Foreign Affairs, which is responsible for the foreign policy of
the European Union (EU).

"Jehovah's Witnesses, like all other religious
organizations, should have the possibility of peacefully enjoying
the freedom of assembly, as it is guaranteed by the Russian
constitution as well as by international obligations of the
Russian federation and world standards of human rights," the
European Service of Foreign Affairs notes.

On 20 April, the Supreme Court ruled the
Jehovah's Witnesses to be an extremist organization and prohibited
the activity of all 395 divisions operating on the territory of
the country. A representative of the Jehovah's Witnesses declared
their readiness to turn to the appellate instance, and if
necessary to go to the European Court for Human Rights. The
decision will take effect after 30 days.

On 17 March, the Ministry of Justice turned to
the Supreme Court with a demand to prohibit Jehovah's Witnesses in
Russia because of violations by them of anti-extremism
legislation. Several days later the activity of the Administrative
Center of the movement in Russia was suspended. The head
organization was entered into the list of extremist organizations
of the Ministry of Justice.

In response to this, the Jehovah's Witnesses
asked the Supreme Court to recognize them as the victim of
political repressions, although after hearing the arguments of the
parties the court refused to accept the counter suit.

Jehovah's Witnesses is an international
religious organization with headquarters in New York. In 2015,
more than eight million of its followers were counted in the
world, and about 175
thousand of its adherents reside in Russia. Adherents of the
movement are accused of neglect for life because of refusal of
medical operations and blood transfusion. They also are accused of
reluctance to serve in the army. (tr. by PDS, posted 21 April
2017)

EU POINTS RUSSIA TO RIGHT OF JEHOVAH'S
WITNESSES TO ENJOY
FREEDOMS PROVIDED BY RUSSIAN CONSTITUTION

The decision of the Russian Supreme Court
banning the
activity of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in
Russia on the
basis of the accusation of extremism may lead to the criminal
prosecutions of
members of the religious group for simple acts of worship, stated
an official
representative of the European Foreign Policy Service.

"Jehovah's Witnesses, like all other religious
groups,
should have the possibility of unhindered enjoyment of freedom of
assembly
without interference, as this is guaranteed by the constitution of
the Russian
federation and also by international obligations of Russia and
international
standards in the area of human rights," the statement, distributed
on
Friday in Brussels, says.

A representative of the European Foreign Policy
Service
noted that the European Union continues to promote "freedom of
religion or
convictions as a right which may be enjoyed by people throughout
the world on
the basis of principles of equality, nondiscrimination, and
universality."
(tr. by PDS, posted 23 April 2017)

The government of Germany expresses its concern
about the decision of the Russian Supreme Court which prohibited
the activity of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses
in Russia, an official representative of the German Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Martin Shefer, stated at a briefing in Berlin on
21 April.

He added that he urges Russia "to adhere to
international obligations" for protecting "religious liberty."

On Thursday the Russian Supreme Court ruled the
activity of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in
Russia to be extremist and it banned its work. It also ordered the
confiscation of the property of the organization. The Ministry of
Justice earlier suspended the work of the center until the
concluding resolution of the dispute in court. The Administrative
Center is preparing an appeal. (tr. by PDS, posted 21 April 2017)

Great Britain is concerned by the decision of
the Russian Supreme Court to find the activity of Jehovah's
Witnesses to be extremist.

On 20 April the Russian Supreme Court ruled the
activity of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in
Russia to be extremist and it prohibited its work. Representatives
of the Jehovah's Witnesses declared their intention to appeal this
decision in the European Court for Human Rights. The Germany
foreign ministry and the foreign policy service of the European
Union came out in defense of the organization.

"I am disturbed by the decision of the Russian
Supreme Court to find Jehovah's Witnesses to be 'extremist.' This
ruling, in essence, criminalizes the peaceful religious profession
of 175 thousand Russian citizens and it contradicts the right to
religious liberty guaranteed by the Russian constitution," a
statement by the minister for human rights, Joyce Anelay, says.

"Great Britain urges the Russian government to
observe its international obligations in honoring this basic
right," she emphasized.

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